I just got back from the range, running some of my .45ACP reloads through my BH (5.1Gr Win231 under a Better Bullets 200Gr LSWC), and I can sum up my experiences quite succinctly....
I *LOVE* this gun!
This was the first time I had shot a big-bore single action revolver, I was expecting a whippy, strong recoil, much more of a handfull than my Kimber Custom II, after all, all that recoil energy from the cartridge isn't going into working the slide and loading the next round, that energy has to go *somewhere*.....
I loaded up six cartridges, took my place on the line, lined up my sights and..... *BLAM!*, the gun fired the cartridge, and smoothly *rolled* backwards and slightly up, it had the *push* of the 1911, but it also had a smooth controllable roll, no upwards snap, no whippy, torquey recoil, just a nice, natural, smooth push back with a slight upwards roll
It was also noticeably quieter than my 1911, I'm sure that the 2.5 extra inches of barrel has something to do with that (7.5" NMBH, 5" Kimber Custom II), it still had the throaty *BOOM* I love, but there was a noticeable lack of pressure/shockwave, if I could sum up the whole experience in one word, it would be *smooth*
I then fired off the next five cartridges, and made another pleasing discovery, without even trying too hard, the gun grouped incredibly well, four rounds through one ragged hole (20 feet) and two fliers, not bad for my first cylinder of cartridges
I then fired off the remainder of my reloads (about 30 rounds for this gun), and on a whim, I took the last six rounds I was going to put in the BH into my Kimber 1911, just to see how much of a difference there was....
Oh man, what a difference, the Kimber had a much more insistent, *sharper* push backwards, it actually had more felt recoil than the BH, even though it used the recoil energy to cycle the slide, and should, in theory, have *less* recoil, *amazing!*
I then used some of my lighter-loaded rounds from my original reloading session when I first got my press, 4.5Gr W231 under a 230Gr LRN, and moved out to the 25 foot line, the groups opened up a bit, but it was still quite accurate, especially for a new-to-me gun
I LOVE the whole experience of shooting single-action revolvers, and can definitely see more of them in my future
While I was shooting, one of my fellow shooters was shooting his passel of S&W .22 revolvers (a couple 6" barrels, a couple snubbies, and a Ruger Single Six), he asked what I was shooting, I let him look over the BH, he was intrigued with the fact that it shot .45ACP, so I let him try a couple cylinders full, he was as amazed as I was, how smooth, controllable and tame it was
He then let me try his six shot S&W 617, Oh man!, I fell in love with that beauty, the trigger was ball-bearing slick in both SA and DA, and I shot the *tightest* groups I have *EVER* shot in .22 with that gorgeous piece of shooting art, dime-sized groups, it pointed perfectly, balanced perfectly, and these dime-sized groups were shot in DA mode to boot!
I think I know what my next .22 revolver is going to be, if I can find a good used one, if I can find a 10 shot, i'll be trading in the Ruger Mark II bull towards it
So, to sum up, I *LOVE* big-bore singe actions, and I've fallen in love with my next .22 revolver
I'm starting to cool off on semiautos now, I'm not going to get rid of my Kimber Custom II, but I don't see adding any more semiautos to the collection, at least not in the near future
I think it's clear I'm a revolver guy at heart, it's good to be home